Paper feed, printing, and inking control mechanism for printing presses



June 8,1926 1,587,968

C. L. LOW v PAPER FEED, PRINTING, AND INKING CONTROL MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed June 27, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 g v N 1; L.

M Q Q Fig- 1, 83 55 Z272 14 4/ INVENTOR 672M568 L-Low ATTORNEY June 8 1926.

c. L. LOW- PAPER FEED, 'amnue, AND INKING cou'rnop MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES le J 2 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR\ Chaz-LycL-Laqr Q 9.55.53

' A nun wN mww 0 o Q v q N m June 8 192 6.

C. L LOW PAPER FEED; PRINTING, AND INKING CONTROL MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 27, 1924 mvsu-ron Charles L.Low'

June 8 1926. 1,587,968

C. L. LOW

PAPER FEED, PRINTING, AND INKING CONTROL MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PREssEs Filed June 27 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 a @iL' v INVENTCR barles L. Lbw

B; m m;

ATTORNEY I TATEs PATHNTQZQEFICEL CHARLES L .5Low,*orrnnsno,'oALIFoRNIA, ASSIGNOR TO LISENBY MANUFACTURING 2; COMPANY, OFFRESNO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION. I v I i rAP FEED, mhmmmn INKING CONTROL MECHANISM mine-magmasihpplication filed June 27, 1924. Serial no. 722,732.;

, jThis invention relates to improvements in printing presses, and particularly to a compara'tively 'small press, adapted to print letters,fcircular s and the like and having a refcip'rocable moving bed. consisting of a cen- "tral type-form and ink plates at each end "thereof a rotatable printing cylinder adapted to be lowered into cooperating .relation with the type form at a predetermined time; ink supply means for the plates, a paper feeding structure, a counter mechanism; a coordinated driving mechanism for all the moving parts, so that all the operations normally take place automatically in proper sequence. j a y The principal obje'ctof my invention is to provide a mechanism, to be applied to such a press,'whereby if the operator fails to feed a sheet to the paper feed structure; or feeds more than one sheet at atiine thereto or a sheet is thicker than the others being run through the press at the time, the printing cylinder will not be lowered into engagement with the type .on the form the counter will not be actuated;-no further ink will be distributed by the duct rolls onto the ink plates; and when more than one sheet is on the feeding structure'or suchsheet is excessive ly thick, such sheets will be prevented from passingto the printing cylinder.

By reason of this mechanism, which functions automatically under the above I conditions and as long as the press is operating the'type is prevented from becoming overinked, thecylinder will not be impressed by the type (a cause of double-sided impressions frequently seen); 110 sheets can pass through the press but what actually'receive the impression of thetype, and the counting mechanism will denote the correct numher of sheets actually printed. v

Another object is to provide for the" adjustment of the control member ofthis mechanism,so that itmay be easily set-to function'with any thickness vof paper which it may 'be desired to run through the press], I have-also provided means for throwing the entire mechanism out-of operation,

should this be desired, without interfering with the normal functionin of the press.

A further object of the invention-is to; produce a simple and inexpensive deviceand yet one which will be exceedingly effective" for the-purposes for which it is designed. These objects I accomplish. by means of T veyor with said mechani'srn;

such structure and'relative arrangeme'ntof parts as will fully appear bysa; perusaljofl the following specification and cla1ms.- In the drawings-similar characters 'of reference indicate corresponding'part's inthe several views: i f y Fig. 1 is a" side'elevationiof the complete press, with "the moving bed at the forward end of its stroke. I I t Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the press, with the frame in skeleton, and with all parts omitted which are not pertinent to this invention. In this view, the moving parts are in the same position as in Fig. I

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section enlarged, of the feed conveyor, showing a paper distinguishing mechanism, in a position corresponding to Fig. 2. This mechanism controls the movements of the printing cylinder and inking duct-rolls. I I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view showing a drop roll of the feed conveyor, and the printingcylinder, with adjacent parts,

showing the position of-the conveyor-feedguides and drop rolls just prior to the" lowering of the printing cylinder to fullprint- ,ing position.

Fig. 7 is a View similar toFi'gs, 2" and '5, showing the position of the parts'just as the paper distinguisher "has faded to be actuated, due to the lack of,;or too many, sheets on theconveyon, 1

'F'g. 8 isa fragmentary view of :the starter-roll arrangement of'the conveyor.

Fig. 9 an enlarged fragmentary View K of the paper distinguishing mechanism, and the-trip-latch structure, showing the latch dise'ngagedby reason" of the engagement'o'f a 'sheet' of the proper thickness on the "con? similar v ew'l, showing the I latch engagedby reason of the failure .of

distinguishing" niechanisnrw be emu-- conveyor.

a shaft 9.

ated, due to absence of a sheet "from the Fig. 11' is a fragmentary section of. the printing cylinder and its mounting, and the connection of the trip-latch structure therewith.

\ Figs. 12 and 13 are diagramsof the'cylinder and type form, showing the relationshipof the two, and certain cooperating men bers, when the form is at the forward limit of its movement, and at the start of the printing position, respectively.

Referring nowmore. particularly to the "characters of reference on the drawings, the

numeral 1 denotes the frame of the press of suitable design, slidably mounted in which for longitudinal reciprocatory movement-is themoving bed 2, carrying the type form 3 and the'ink plates 4 at both ends of the same.

The bed is; continuously reciprocated U through a given distance by means of a link 5 connected thereto and to a rocking lever 6 pivoted on the frame, movement being imparted to this lever by means of a connectin rod 7 attached thereto andto the crank 8 of This shaft carries a gear 10 driven from a pinion 11 on a shaft 12,-the latter being driven from an electric motor 13 or the like. v f

Extending lengthwise of and fixed along one edge of the bed 2 is a rack 14 meshing nected, in driving relation with the cylinder,

and with the reciprocation of the bed, the cylinder and gear oscillate in llIllSOIl, regardless of any rotation of the shaft 16 and of the offset relation of the'eccentric part 18 therewith.

The shaft 16 is oscillated and consequently the cylinder moved up and down, through a certa n arc and at a predetermined time, relative to the movement of the bed 2, by

- means of an arnil22 fixed on one end of the shaft, theo,free end of said arm being at- -tach ed to arod23 connected at its other end tot-he upper end of a lever 24. This lever 15 pivoted intermediate its ends on the frame 1,

and carries on its, lower end a roller 25 ada tedto rideon a cam 26 fixed on the hold t e roller against the cam. .This cam is sha t 9 in predetermined relation to the crank 8.

A s ring 24 acts on the lever to normally designed so that the cylinder will be lowered and will-remain in that position during a pcripheral movement of the cylinder about lever 'aboveits pivot.

equal to the len h of the form 3; and will be raised clear 0 the form for the remainder of the revolution of fthe-cam' and shaft 9. The driving parts areso corelated with each other that this lowered position of the cylin- 1 der 1s had while the type-form is moving v under the same in a. rearward direction.

For-inking the. plates "4 and the type on the form 3, I rovide ink fountains 27 above the plane of t e plates and toward the oppo- 5 site ends of the frame 1. 'These fountains are referably of the type shown in my copen mg a phcation on the same, filed July 1st, 1924, erial No. 723,513 Each'fountain includes a roller 28, intermittentl rotated in 80.

a constant direction by means 0 acommon form of pawl and ratchet structure 29, the pawl being mounted on an arm 30 depending from and concentric with the roller. The

arms 30 of. both fountains are connected by rods 31 to a vertical lever 32 pivoted at one end on the frame and operatively connected .at its opposite end to the rocking" lever 6.

"Ink from the fountain rollers is placed on the plates 4 by means of duct rollers 33 en gageable alternately with the rollers 28' and with the plates, and mounted on arms 34 fixed on-shafts35 ivoted transversely in the frame 1 under e plane of the plates.

Springs 36 (see- Fig. 1) act to hold the duct rolls normally engaged with the fountain rolls. The duct rolls are caused to be moved from engagement with the fountain rolls to engagement with the plates by means of rollers 37 mounted on horizontal arms 38 fixed on the shafts '35, and which rollers are engaged and lowered by sloping cam surfaces 39 under and at the ends of the plates 4.

The .ink thus fed onto ,the plates at one endthereof is distributed over the entire area of the plates by means of suitable angle-distrib- .utor roll units 40, and the ink is spread onto the type on the form 3 from the plates by the form roller units 41 (see Fig; 1). These latter units are of special construction and 11 mounting, and form the subject matter of my copending application on the same filed July 1st, 1924, Serial No. 723,515.

Depending from and fixed on the shafts 35 are arms 42 to the lower ends of which 11 are connected horizontal bars 43 and 44 extending toward each other, the latter overlapping the former and resting thereon at theirv adjacent ends. The free end of the bar 7 43, has a cam and normally riding on the upper end of a vertical trip or control bar 45 pivoted intermediate its ends on the frame 1. V This bar is connected to the lever 24 by a link 46 which 125 is pivotally connected to-the lower, end of the bar 45 and at .itsopposite end has longitudinally. spaced notc es 47 on its under face, either of which engages a pin 48 on the v v ortion 43 thereunder, proecting below t e normal level of the bar,

In this manner,.the

be raised.

end the eof, the free end of s id am carrypredetermined point operative length of the link may be altered at will, for a purpose'as will appear.

The bars43 and 44 each hasa notch 49 in its upper face,,to;coop erate with corresponding pawls 50 mounted on the frame, and pre vented from downward movement below a thereunder. I, A counting device, of any standard form, indicated generally at- 52, is actuatedfrom the lever 24 by a rod 53 extending therefrom to the horizontalrocking arm 54 of the counter (see Fig. 1).

To feed sheets to the printing cylinder therein suitably driven from the shaft 12,

and tapes 58. Starter rolls 59 are engage able with the upper tape rolls 56, being supported from arms 60 turnably mounted on a shaft 61 journaled in and between the side rails 55. The raising and lowering of these rolls in certain timed relation with the movements of other parts, and certain other features included with the feeding structure, form of themselves no. part of the present invention, these features being particularly described and claimed in my copending application on a semi-automatic feed device filed June 27th, 1924, Serial No. 7 22,7 32.

The drop rolls 62, engageable with the arms 64. Spring means 68 (see Fig. 6) act on the arms 64 to hold the drop rolls raised.

tending rearwardly of the drop rolls are the feed guides 69, whose lower ends normally engage and project below the feed guide tongues 70 which rest on the rolls 57 between the tapes, and extend beyond and in substantial alineme-nt with the rear end of the tapes to a point adjacent and in line with the feedrolls 71 which lie just ahead of the cylinder.

By reason of this drop roll and feed guide arrangement, it will be seen that if the shaft 67 is rotated to cause'the lugs 66 to engage and raise the adjacent ends of the arms 64, the drop rolls will be lowered, while at the same time the feed guides will Adjustably fixed on the shaft 67 and ex Such movement is normally imparted to the shaft 67' at predetermined times by means of an arm 72 connected to the outer by projecting pins 51,

.the proper thickness, so that vtheshoe is distances from the axis: of 'tlie'. shaft and all concentric therewith. mally forwardsurface A is such-that when] the roller 73 is riding thereon, the feed" guides are in their lowermostposition and the drop-rolls are raised, as'shown 1n Figs.

2, 3, and 4. i 7

The second surface Bis. relatively short and is so disposed that when the roller 73 is riding thereon, the guides 69 will be ,fully raised and the drop rolls lowered as The third surface C is lower than the surface B, but higher than shown 'in Fig. 6.

surface A, being so designed that when the roller is riding thereon, the drop rolls will be raised from the tape rolls, but the feed ing a roller 73 which rides. on a cam 74 ounte in onnec on; w th. the m. .22- ,This cam has three '.[surfaces, all different guides will still be clear of the tongues 70,

as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6. The purpose of this arrangement will be seen hereinafter. Y

Turnably mounted on the shaft 67 between the guides 69 is a sleeve 75 fixed at on and projecting rearwardly from the sleeve 75 above the shoe is a horizontal rigid ledge 8, whose rear end extends parallel to the shaft and is quite thin. An adjustable screw 79 is mounted in this ledge and bears down on the shoe 76. A transverse shaft 80 is journaled in the side rails above and to the rear of the shaft 67, and

has fixed thereon a depending block 81 to .vergence between the rigid ledge 78 and the resilient shoe will be altered, causing the rear edge of the ledge tobe closer to or farther from, the portion of the shoe dito the thickness of the sheets being run through at the time, and in such a manner that when the shoe is raised by a sheet of above the tapes and tongues a distance equal to the thickness of said sheet, the ledges 78 and 82 will be in exact horizontal aline; inent. The purpose of this arrangement will be seenlater,

-rectly thereunder; In operating the press I therefore, this screw is ad usted accordlng .Fixed on the shaft 80 is an arm 83, whose outer end carries a roller 84 hearing on a disc 85 fixed in connection with the cylinder drive gear 15.- This disc has a flattened portion'86 for a certain extent of its .pe-

riphery. A spring 87 normall acts on the arm 83 to hold the roller against the disc.-

Fixed on the shaft '16 at the end thereof adjacent the gear 15 is a smaller disc 88 having a peripheral ratchet-notch 89. Adapted to seat at one end in said notch,

and disposed tangentially of the disc 88, is

arigid trip-latch 90, pivoted intermediate its ends on the adjacent block 17. A spring 91 acts on said latch to normally hold the same clear of the notch. The arm 83 has a member 92 depending therefrom, carrying an adjustable screw 93 positioned to engage and depress the head ofthe latch into t e notch, only when the roller 84 is riding .on the flat portion 86 of the disc '85.

The structure just described, from the part 7 5 to the part 93, constitutes the paper distinguisher, and press-operation control mechanism, as will be seen. Besides the two ink plates enabling twocolor work to be turned out, flfmay also employ an ink ribbon to cover a portion of the type on the form between the radius ofaction of the inklate rolls. The windin and unwinding 0 this ribbon is con'trolle by a mechanism fully shown and described ward limit of movement, and the 'arm 22 likewise, and that asheet of paper '94 has in -m copending a plication on the same filed uly 1st, 1924, erial No. 723,514. This mechanism includes an arm 95 pivoted at one end on the frame -1 arid operatively connected at its other end to the lower end of the arm 22. I V The operation of the mechanism is as follows: '1

Assume to start that the bed 2 is at its for- The forward end ofthe notch 49 of the bar 43 is then ahead of the corresponding pawl 50. f 3 The rear-end duct roll, being clear of the adjacentplate 4, is engaged with the adjacent ink-roll 28.

The roller 73 of the armu72 istrestin on the low portion A of the cam 74, in w ch position of said arm, as .previousl the feed guides '69 are lowere engage the to s. 70, andthe dro' rolls 62 are raised 0 ear of the sheet 94. g. latter can thus only move along 'tive tosaid arm. I M of thearm 45 moves for "the extent of movement of the arm 22 described,

rear ends of the. gui es 69, whic then act the conve orto the as stops'preventin'g further movement of the sheet. a

When the sheet moves to this position, it must of course raisethe shoe 76' to a level therewith, and in so doing,.raises the ledge 78 to alevel with tlieledge 82 which .is fixed with the arm 83. The roller on this arm is then engaged with the circular portion. of. the cam-disc 85, the'screw 93 mounted on.

said arm is clear of the latch 90, and the late ter b theretz), is held clear of the notch 89 on the member 88. At this time, said notch isa certain distance ahead of the adjacent end of thelatch.

reason of' the spring' .91 "connected With a rotative movement of the shaft I in a left hand direction (when looking at.

that: side of thepress shown on the drawings) the bed 2 moves to, the rear, and the cylinder 19 turns in a right hand direction, and the upper end 'of'the lever-24, by reason of the shape of the cam 26, moves toward the rear, imparting a similar movement to the arm; 22. Movement of the latter of course gradually lowers the cylinder to the plane of the type form, on account'of the arrangement of the eccentric shaft .18 rela- The upper end wardly, and the bar43tmoves rearwardl w to cause the cam lug43. of said Up to W, f h brings the-high. portion B of the cam 74 close tothe roller73, asshown in Figs. 7

tendin bar to e moved clear-ofthe arm 45.

and 9, no clearance of the members,i3' ,.and'

45 will be' had, and so far the guides 69am still lowered and the drop rolls raised,-and the cylinder is only partially lowered" At this time, however, with the rotation of the-gear 15 and disc 85 attached thereto,

the flat or low surface 86 of said discis di rectly under the roller 84' of the arm 83.

Said roller 84, by reason ofthe' spring 87 acting onthe arm 83, tends-tmdro so as to rest on said low surface. A'sheet 0 paper I being on theconveyor howeverfas prom:

d ously stated, said roller and arm canv move down but very little, sinde the ledges-7 8 and.

82 being in horizontal alinement,.-and close relation,'the latter abuts a 'ainst the former, and the arm 83 is thus eld from further movement.

The screw 93 on said arm will not then be lowered to depress the latch- 90, and the latter therefore maintains its position clear of the notched disc 88, and the shaft 16 is free for further rotation. I

With a slight further rotation of the shaft 9 therefore, the arm 22' is turned 'sothat' the high portion B of the cam 74 passes under roller 73, rais' the arm72 cans" of the 6 f and lowering of dr raisiQig sponding rolls into engagement with the sheet, as shown in Fig. 6. The sheet is then free to pass to the feed rolls 71 and cylinder 19,'

and is fed to the former by the driving pres sure of the lower tape roll 57 against the sheet. By the time the paper is engaged by the said feed rolls, the arm 22 has turned so that the roller 73 is resting on the portion C of the cam 74, as shown in Fig. 5. This raises the drop rolls slightly, but does not lower the feed guides into interference with the sheet still passing thereunder. When the rear end of the sheet has passed beyond the shoe 76, the latter is free to drop to its normal position between the tapes, and will do so as soon' as the roller 84 again rides on the circular portion of the disc 85, which causes the formerly abutted ledges 78 and 82 to be released from each other.

In the meantime, with the continued rearward movement of the upper portion of the lever 24, the forward end of the arm 45 has moved ahead of and clear of the lug 43 and the arm 43 will drop at that end a distance equal to the height of the portion 43*, as will be seen from Fig. 5. The notch 49 in said bar is thus moved below the lane of the pawl 50, whose drop is limite by the stop pin 51. The bar is therefore free to move beyond the awl to permit the corresponding duct rol 33 to engage the 1nk roll 28 and receive a fresh supply of ink.

\Vhen the bed 2 reaches its rearmost limit of travel, the rear end duct roll is moved into engagement with the correspondin 1nk plate in the same manner as previous y set forth at the outset of this description of op-v erations. I

The control bar 44 of said rear duct roll, being supported at its free end on the corresponding end of the bar 43, drops therewith when the arm 45 moves clear of the lug 43 The notch 49 and pawl 50 of said bar 44 are disposed relative to each other in a manner similar to the arrangement. of the corremembers of the bar 43, and function similarly. In other words, before the arm 45 again engages the lug 43 and raises the bars with the reverse movement of the parts had when the bed 2 is moving forwardly, the notch 49 of the bar 44 has passed ahead of the corresponding pawl 50, en

abling the rear duct roll to again engage its ink roll.

The functioning of the parts as above described takes place only when a single sheet of a predetermined thickness is on the conveyor. Failure to feed a sheet onto the conveyor halts the normal functioning of certain parts without necessitating stopping of the press, in the following manner:

There being no sheet on the conveyor, the shoe 76 will not be raised, nor will the ledge 78, the latter remaining below the level of the ledge 82. Therefore when the disc 85 turns so that the fiat portion 86 is below the roller 84 as shown in Figs. 7 and 10, (at which time the notch 89 in the member 88 is in line with the head of the latch 90) the roller 84 will drop to rest on said flat por tion 86, since there is then no obstruction in the path of movement. of tached to the arm 83.

The arm 84 being thus dropped, the screw drop rolls 62 will not be raised and lowered respectively. A second result is that the cylinder while continuing to rotate, will not be lowered to the plane of the type form.

The third result is that by. reason of the connecting rod 23 between'the arm 22 and lever 24, the latter can no longer follow the cam for the time being, and will be held stationary. This prevents further movement of the arm 45 so that it will not clear the lug 43, and the bars 43 and 44 are held raised. This in turn causes the pawls 51 to the ledge 82 atengage the notches in the bars 43 and 44 during the backward and forward movement respectively of said bars, preventing them from having their full travel, and.

thereby holding the duct rolls from engagement with the ink rolls. The duct rolls being thus kept from receiving a fresh su ply of ink, even when they engage the ink p ates with the movement of the respective plates thereover, no ink will of course be spread onto the plates from the duct 'rolls,'since the latter have none thereon.

The counter 52 will not be actuated, since the lever 24 being stationary, will not move the counter actuating arm 54.

Also, since the arm 22 is held stationary,

the arm 95 will not be moved to shift the mechanism controlled thereby.

Of course upon the return movement of the bed 2 during the idle stroke of the press, the parts return to their starting positions, and if in the meantime a sheet has been fed onto the conveyor, the normal functioning of'the press will be resumed. Otherwise the above described cessation of .vital operations will continue to be effected.

If more than one sheet, or a sheet of under or over thickness than that for which as above described in connection with the lack of a sheet on the conveyor.

Under any of the above stated conditions,

qreadily seen that I is under the roller 84 of arm 83. If the sheet is of excessive thickness, or more than one sheet in superimposed order, is on the conveyor, the ledge 78 will be raised above the level of the ledge 82, allowing the latter to move under the same when the arm 83 tends to drop. In either case, the ledge 78 fails tobe located in a position such as will cause it to act as a sto to prevent movement of the ledge 82 and arm 83, and the latch 90 therefore is moved to a locking position with member 88.

By reason of the fact that the ledge 78 and shoe 76 are vertically adjustable relative to each other, as previously described, the said ledge may always be caused to horizontally aline with the ledge 82 with a sheet of any thickness on the conveyor, and such alinement will of course be disturbed when a sheet of a diiferent thickness is placed on the conveyor,as long as the ledge. remains adjusted to suit sheets of that certain thickness for which the distinguisher is set.

If it is notdesired that the duct rolls remain inactive under anyof the conditions above set forth, the rod 46 is raised to withdraw the rearmost notch 47 therein from the holdin allow the Forward notch to engage the pin.

This moves the arm 45 clear of the lug 43 at all times, and causes the bars 43 and 44 to be lowered so that the pawls 50 fail to engage the respective notches 49. This of course permits unrestricted movement of said bars and. the duct rolls mounted in connection therewith.-.

From the foregoin description it will be ave produced sucha device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein. I While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a printin press having a type form,

a printing cylin er arranged to be lowered into cooperative relation with the form, and a driven feed conveyor onto which the sheets to be printed are fed prior to passing to the cylinder, fingers disposed between the conveyor and the cylinder and normally projecting below the conveyor to form a stop for paper bein fed to the cylinder, and means associate with the fingers for causing pin 48, and is pulled back to.

veyor.

printed are'fed prior to passing to the cyliner; stop means associated with theconveyor and normally disposed in the path of movement of a sheet toward the cylinder, and means preventing the lowering ofthe cylinder and the release of the stop means unless a single sheet. of a predetermined thickness be on the conveyor.

4. In a printing press having a type form, a printing cylinder'arranged to be lowered into cooperative relation with the'form, and a feed conveyor onto which the sheets to be printed are fed prior to passing to the cylinder; stop means associated with the conveyor andnormally disposed in the path of movement of a sheet toward the cylinder, and means actuated only by a single sheet of predetermined thickness on the conveyor for allowin the sto means to be released and the cylinder to e lowered.

5. A structure as in claim 1., in which means is provided between the cylinder and the finger actuating means for enabling the cylinder to be lowered only when the fingers are actedupon to be raised.

6. In a printing press havinga type form, a printing cylinder arranged to be lowered into cooperative relation with the form, and .a driven feed conveyor onto which the sheets to be printed are fed prior to passing to the cylinder, fingers-disposed between-the con-- veyor and the cylinder and normally projecting below the conveyor to form astop for paper being fed to the cylinder, and

means whose actuation is controlled only by a single sheet of paper of a predetermined thickness on the conveyor, for causing the fingers to be raised and the cylinder low.-

7. In a printingv press having a driven printing mechanism adapted to receive and print sheets, and a feed conveyor adapted to receive and feed sheets one by one to the printing mechanism; mechanism normally actuated with each printing movement of the printingmechanism, means preventing the actuation of the counting mechanism if a sheet is not fed to the printing mechanism, and means associated with the conveyor whereby such feeding will be prevented if more than one sheet;

a sheet counting of a predetermined thickness is on the con- 8. In a printing press having a driven printing mechanism adapted to receive and print sheets,.and 1a! feed conveyor. adapted toreceive and feed sheets one by one'to the; printing meohanisnuqa sheet, counting mechanismv normally, actuated with a each printing movement of the PI'lIl.tlI1g mechanism, means-preventing the-actriation of the counting mechanism if a sheet is not fed to the printing mechan1sm,,,and meanscontrolled by" the presence ofa'singlesheet of.

- a predetermined thickness on the conveyor for-then allowing such feeding to take place and the counting mechanism to be then actuated. v V

9. In a printing press having a driven printing mechanism adapted to receive and print sheets one bytone, a; sheet counting mechanism normally actuated with each printing movement of the printing mechanism, means whereby the counting mechanism will be actuated only if a sheet is fed to the printing mechanism, and vmeans whereby such sheet will only be so fed if it is of a certain predetermined thickness.-

10. In a printing press having a typeform and a printing cylinder adapted to be lowered into printing relation with the form, a counting mechanism adapted to register eachsheet as it passes between the"- cylinder and form, acommon means controlling the movement of the cylinder and counting mechanism, and means whereby such controlling means will not function unless a sheet isfed to the cylinder.

11. In a printin press having a moving bed carrying an in plate-and a type form, a printing cylinder arrangedto cooperate with the form, anink-fountain, and means for inking the ink fplate' from the fountain;

a means whereby i a sheet is not fed to the cylinderthe plate inking means will fail to function, and means whereby said inking means may berendered operative at will regardless of the cylinder. 1 a

12. In a printing press havinga reciprocating moving bed carrying ink plates at both ends and a'type form therebetween, a

printing cylinder arranged to cooperate with the form, and ink fountains forthe respective plates; means for normallyinking the plates'from the respective fountains in alternating order with the reciprocation of the bed, and means whereby if a sheet is not fed to the cylinder, first one and then :the

feeding of a sheet to thefeding means whereiy unless a single sheet},

.of a predetermined thickness is fed thereon means will fail to function;

I a p i n flr iel s fiav ng -Ta i cat'ing moving bed carrying ink plates both ends and: a type form; therebetween, printing cylinder arranged to oo perate wit the form, and vin];' fo'uilitai'n tive plates; means, forjg'no plates from therespective nating order with there presence of a sheet thereon for controlling for passage to the cylinder, the ,plate inkin-' ,o -V there'spe ally inking the ntains in alterpi i Qf l i' bed, means for feeding sheetsj-totheycylinif der one by one, and means associated] with said; feeding means and controlled'by' the" the functioning of'theplate-inking means in a 7 their proper order.

15. Ina printing press having a moving bed carryingan inkplate and a type form,

printing cylinder arranged to cooperate a with the form, an ink-fountain, means for V inking the ink plate from the fountain, means for feeding sheets tothe cylinder one by one,-means wherebyunless a sheet is fed to the cylinder the plate inking means will not function, and means controlled the presence of a single sheetof a predetermined thickness onthe feeding means for control- 16 In a printing press having, recip;

ling the feeding of said sheet to thecylinrocating moving bed carrying ink platcs at both ends and a type form therebetwecn, a ,prmting cylinder arranged to cooperate with the form, andink-fountain rolls for the respective plates; duct rolls adapted to be alternately engaged .withthe respective fountain rolls and plates with the recipro cation of the bed, means for feeding sheets to the cylinder one by onemeans associated with the feeding means for controlling thepassage of a sheet'to the cylinder,means controlled by a single sheet of 1a predeterf mined thickness on v the feedin g means for plates unless said sheet-feeding control means is actuated. a

17. In a printing press H eating movmg bed carrying ink plates both ends and a type form therebetween pa printing cylinder arranged to cooperate with the form, and ink-fountain rollsfor the respectiye plates; duct rollsad ap'ted to be alternately engagedvwith the respective fountain rolls and plates with the reci procation of the bed, means forfeedingsl'ieots to the cylinder one by one, notched horizon tal bars, operatively connected, atf o'ne end with the duct rolls and overlapping each, other at their opposite ends, said barsbeingf adapted for horizontal reciprocatoryfmovef actuating the controlmea ns, anclineans be tween; said sheet controlledmeans and the duct rolls whereby the latter are alternately 1 prevented from engagement' with the ink having a" reciprolll) ment with the reciprocation of the bed and the movement of-the duct rolls; fixed pawls positioned to independently engage the notches in the bars intermediate the limits of travel of the latter, means whereby if a .Sl1e8t 1S fed to the cylinder the bars willbe moved clear of the pawls to enable the bars to move to theirfull extent, and 'means controlled by a sheet on the feeding means whereby if such sheet is not fed to the cylinder the bars will be held in position to be engaged by the pawls.

18. In a printing press having a reciprocating moving bed carrying ink plates at,

bothends and a type form therebetween, a printing cylinder arranged to cooperate with the form, and ink-fountainrolls for the'respective plates; duct rolls adapted to be alternately enga ed with the respective cating movin printing cylinder arranged to coo 'with the form, and ink-fountain rol s for be alternately eng fountain rolls an fountain rolls and p ates with the reciprocation of the bed, means for feeding sheets to the cylinderone by one, notched horizontal bars operatively connected at one endwith the duct rolls and overlapping each other disengaged with said lug to maintain the adjacent ends of the bars raised and lowered" respectively, such lowering moving the bars clear ofthe pawls, and means controlled. by a sheet on the feeding means for controlling the "movement of the arm.

19. In a printin press having a reciprobe carrying ink plates at both ends an a type form therebetween, a crate the respective plates; duct rolls adapted to ged with the respective plates with the reciprocation of the bed, means for feeding sheets to the cylinder one by one, notched horizontal bars operatively connected at one end withthe duct rolls and overlapping each other at their opposite ends, said bars being adapted for horizontal reciprocato movement with thereciprocation of the be'd and the'm'ovement of the duct rolls; fixed pawls positioned to independently l notches in the bars interme ate the limits of travel of the latter, a cam-lug on the funderside of the free end of the overlapped bar, an arm normallymreoiprocating wit the vmal .fihereby to respectively raise and lower the ends of the bars, such lowering mov: ing the bars clear of the pawls, means cfo'n d and adapted, to norprocation'of the y engage and move clear of the lug engage the nectedto the arm for thus actuating the same, means controlled by the passage of a sheet to the cylinders for controlling the movement of the arm actuating means, and means controlled by such sheet itself whereby unless the latter is of a predetermined thickness it will not be fed to the cylinder and the arm actuating means will be held stationary with the arm in the barraisingposition.

20. In a printing press, a reciprocating type form, a rotary printing cylinder arra'ngedto cooperate therewith, an eccentric shaft on which the cylinder is mounted, means attachedto the shaft for causing the same to be turned to lower the cylinder into printing relation with the form at predetermined periods, a feed conveyor, to receive sheets to be fed to the cylinder, a notched lug on the shaft, a latch adapted to engage said notch before the cylinder is lowered to its fu l extent but normally held clear of the plane of the notch, means for moving the latch to engage the notch, and means -associated with, the conveyor and actuated by a single sheet of a predeter ined thicknesstlrereon for holding the lat h moving means inactive. I

21. In a printing press, a type form and a printing cylinder adapted to be lowered into cooperative relation therewithat predetermined times; means for feeding sheets tothe cylinder one by one, a commonly actuated means for reciprocating the form, rotatmg the cylinder and lowering the latter independent of its rotation, and means whereby unless asheet is fed to the cylinder the latter will not be lowered but the reciprocation of the form and, rotation of the cylinder will not be interfered with.

' 22. In a printing press, a type form and a printing cylinder adapted to be lowered into cooperative relation therewith at predetermined times; an eccentric shaft on which the cylinder is. mounted, means for feeding sheets to the cylinder one by one, a shoe on the sheet feeding means raised by a sheet thereon, a commonly actuated means for reciprocating the form, rotating the cylinder and turning the shaft to cause the cylinder to be lowered independent of its rotation, and means whereby unless said shoe is'raised to a. predetermined level the shaft will be held from turning but the reciprocationiof the form and rotationof the cylinder will not be interfered with.

' 23. In a prmtmgpress, a. reciprocating type form, a rotary printing cylinder arranged to cooperate therewith, an eccentric shaft on which the cylinder is mounted,

means attached to the shaft for causing'the same-to be turned to lower the cylinder into printing relation with the form at predetermined periods, a feed conveyor to receive sheets tobe fed to the cylinder, latch means to a latching position with the shaft.

. mounted,-means connected to the shaft for whereby at a predetermined 24. In a printing press, a reciprocating type form, a rotary printing cylinder arranged to cooperate therewith, an eccentric shaft on which the cylinder isturnably causing the same to be turned to lower the cylinder into printing relation with the form at predetermined periods, a feed-conveyor to receive sheets to be fedto the cylinder, latch meansfor holding the shaft from turning but normally disengaged therefrom a shoe on the conveyor raised by a sheet thereon, a ledge mounted with the shoe and projecting at an angle thereto, a pivoted arm having a ledge mounted therewith at its pivoted end and facing the shoe-ledge, said ledges beingin horizontal alinement when a sheet of a predetermined thickness raises the shoe, means associated with the arm eriod of the rotation of the cylinder the le ges will abut and prevent lowering movement of the free end of the arm, and means whereby the shaft latch meanswill be then maintained inactive. I

25. In a printing press, a reciprocating type form, a rotary printing cylinder arranged to coo erate therewith, an eccentric shaft on which the cylinder is turnably mounted, means connected to thefshaft for v causing the same to be turned to lower the cylinder into printing relation with the form 40 at predetermmed periods, a feed conveyor to receive sheets to be fed to the cylinder,

latch means for holding the shaft from-turning, but normally disengaged therefrom, a

shoe on the conveyor raised by a 'sheet thereon, a ledge mounted with the shoe and pro-- .-jectingatvan angle thereto, a plvoted'arm having a ledge mounted therewith-at its pivoted end and facing the shoe-ledge,-said led es. being .in horizontal alinement when as eet of a predetermined thickness raises the shoe, latch actuating means mounted vwith the arm, and means whereby :unless said ledges are in horizontal alinement at a predetermined period in the rotation of the cylinder the latch will be actuated to-engage I andhold the shaft from rotation. A 26.1'In a printing press, a reciprocating i type form, afrotary printing cylinder ar- =.ranged to cooperate therewith, an eccentric 60.

a mounted, means connected to the shaft for causing the same to-be turned to 'lower' the cylinder into printingrelation withthe' form at predetermmed period's, afeed'wnveyor to receive sheets to be fed to the cylinder,

latch means for holding the shaft from turning but normally disengaged therefrom, a shoe on the conveyor raised by a sheet thereon, a ledge mounted withthe shoe and projecting at an angle thereto, a pivotally-= mounted ledge adapted to aline with the shoe ledge when the latter is raised by a sheet of predetermined thickness on the conveyor, and means whereby unless such alinement is had at a predetermined period in the rotation of the cylinder the latch will be moved to engage and hold the shaft from.

turning.

' 27. In a printing press, a reciprocating type form, a rotary printin cylinder arranged to cooperate therewit an eccentric shaft on which the cylinder is turnably mounted, means connected to the shaft for causing the-same to be turned to lower the cylinder into printing relation with the form at predetermined periods, a feed conveyor to receive sheets to be fed to the cylinder, latch means for holding the shaft from turning but normally disengaged therefrom, a shoe on. theconveyo'r raisedby a sheet thereon, a ledge mounted with the shoe and projecting atfan" angle thereto, a pivoted arm having a ledge mounted ythere'withat its pivoted end and facing the shoe-ledge, said ledges being in horizontal alinement when the shoe, latch actuating means, mounted with 'the arm, a roller on the free; end of the arm, and a cam disc rotating with thecylinded and on which the roller normally rides,

said vdisc hav'ini'g a'fiatfsurface disposed so that if the roller rests thereon the latch will be actuated; the ledges, if al-ined,'abutting and preventing f dropping of the arm' when withfthe rotation of the disc thef flat por tion thereof moves under the roller.

28. Int printing press, a reciprocating type form, a rotary printing 'cylmder arranged to cooperate therewith, an eccentric shaft; on which the cylinder, isturnably 'a sheet of a predetermined thickness raises mounted, means connected mane shaft for."

focusing the sameto' be turned to lower the cylinderfinto printing relation with the form at predeterm1ned"periods,;a feed conve or to receive i'sheets 'to'll'e fed to the cylin er, latch means for holding'the shaft from turning normally "disengagedQtherefrom, a shoe on the'conveyor raised by a sheet' thereon, an' 'arm pivoted 'atione ,end, a roller on the other end of the arm, {latch-;actuating means mounted with the'i arm and normally clear of "the latch, a cam disc rotating (with jthe cylinderand oniwhichthe roller nor- ,shaft' on which the cylinder is turnably mallyrides, said discihaving afflatisurface disposed so that if the roller restslathereon tween the"arm;and sho preventing dropping ;-the latch will be'actuated,jandfmeansi be-' a sheet of a under the shoe. g I I 29. Inv a printing press, a reciprocating type form, a rotary printing cylinder arran ed to coo erate therewith, an eccentric predetermined thickness is sha t on wlnch the cylinder is turnably mounted, means connected to the shaft for causing the same to be turned to lower the cylinder intoprinting relation with the form at predetermined periods, a feed conveyorto receive sheets to be fed to the cylinder, latch means for holding the shaft from turningbut normally disengaged therefrom, a shoe on the conveyor raised by a sheet thereon, a

ledge mounted with the shoe and projecting at an angle thereto, a pivoted arm having a ledge mountedtherewithat its pivoted end and facing the shoe-ledge, said ledges belng in horizontal alinement when a sheet of a predetermined thickness raises the. shoe, latch actuating means 'mounted with the arm, means whereby unless-said ledges are in horizontal alinement at a predetermined period in the rotation of the cylinder the latch will be actuated to hold the shaft from rotation, and means for adjusting the angular setting between the shoe and its ledge, whereby the latter may be caused to aline with the arm ledge with sheets of difierent'.

thicknesses under the shoe.

30. In aprinting press, a reciprocating type form, a rotary printing cylinder arranged to cooperate therewith, an eccentric shaft on which the cylinder is turnably mounted, means connected to the shaft for causing the same to be turned to lower the cylinder into printing relation ,with the form at predetermined periods, a feed conveyor to receive sheets to be fed to the cylinder, latch means for holding the shaft from turning but normally disengaged there-.

ali-nement is had ata predeterm d period in' the rotationof they-cylinder, the latch will be moved 'toengage-and hold the shaft from turning. A t

131.111 a printing press, a reciprocating type' form, -a rotary printingcylinder arranged-t0 cooperate therewit aneccentric shaft Lon which the pylinder; is. turnably mounted, ineeiisjcoimeeted to theshaft. for

difierent thicknesses of sheets, and

ot-ally mounted ledge whereby -xless such causing the same to be turned to lower the t cylinder into printing relation with the form at predetermined periods, a feed con- 7 veyor to receive sheets to be fed to the cylinder, latch means for holding the shaft from turning but normally disengaged therefrom, a shoe on the conveyor raised by a sheet-thereon, stop means on the conveyor normally preventing-passage of a sheet to the cylinder, a shoe on the conveyor raised by a sheet thereon, means between the shoe and shaft whereby unless a sheet under the shoe is of a predetermined thickness the shaft will be prevented from turning, and

means controlled by the turning of'the shaft for releasing the stop means. 1

32.111 a printing press, a rec1procating. type form, a rotary printing cylinder ar-" ranged to cooperate therewith, an eccentric. shaft on which the cylinder is turnably mounted,- means connected to the shaft for v causing the same to be turned to lower the cylinder into printing relation with the form at predetermined periods, a feed conveyor to receive sheets to be fed to the, cylinder, latch means for holding the shaft from turning but normally disengaged therefrom, a shoe on the conveyor raised by a sheet thereon, stop means on'the conveyor normally preventing passage of. a sheet to the cylinder, ashoe on the conveyor raised by a sheet thereon, means between the shoe 1 and shaft whereby unless a sheet under the shoe is of a predetermined thickness the I shaft will be prevented from turning, and means between the shaft connected means and the stop means whereby only if the shaft is free to turn, and after such turning I has commenced, will the stop means he released. a

33. In a printing press, a. reciprocating type form, a rotary printing cylinder arranged to be lowered into printing relation with the form at a predetermined period in the reciprocation of the latter, an ink plate mounted with the type form, a counting mechanism for the sheets. as they are rinted, a common lever controlling the owering ofthe cylinder, actuation of the countin mechanism and actuation of the plate in ing means, and means holding said lever 'inactive unless a sheet of paper is fed to the cylinder.

34. In a printing press, a reciprocating I type form, a rotary printing cylinder arranged'to belowered into printing relation with the form ata predetermined period in the reci rocation of the latter, an 1nk plate mounte with the type form, a counting mechanism for the sheets as they are printed, a common lever controlling the lowering of the cylinder, actuation of the counting mechanism and actuation of the plate "nking means, a sheet feeding means to receive sheets to be printed, and means whereby unless a sheet of a predetermined thickness is on the feeding means said lever will be held inactive and the sheet will not be fed to the cylinder.

35. In a printing press, a reciprocating type form, a rotary printing cylinder ar-- ranged .to be lowered into printing relation with the form at a predetermined period in the reciprocation of the latter, an ink plate mounted with the type form, a counting mechanism for the sheets as they are printed, a common lever controlling the lowering of the cylinder, actuation of the counting mechanism and actuation of the plate inking means, a sheet feeding means to receive sheets to be printed, and means controlled by the presence of a sheet. of predetermined thickness on the conveyor for controlling the operation of the lever.

36.I n a printing press, a reciprocating type form, a rotary printing cylinder arranged to be lowered into printing relation with the format a predetermined period in the reciprocation of the latter, an ink plate mounted with the type form; a counting mechanism for the sheets as they are printed, and means whereby unless a sheet is fed to the conveyor the cylinder will not be lowered, the counting mechanism will not be actuated, and the plate will not be inked.

37. In a printing press, a reciprocating type form, a, rotary printing =cylin er arranged to be lowered into prmting relation with the form at a predetermined period in the reciprocation of thelatter, an ink plate mounted with the type form, a counting mechanism for the sheets as they are printed, a common lever controlling the lowering of the cylinder, actuation of the count in mechanism and actuation ofthe plate infiing means, a sheet feeding means to. receive sheets to be printed, means controlled by the presenceof a sheet of predetermined thickness on the conveyor for controlling the operation of the lever, and means whereby unless said sheet be of a predeterinined thickness the lever will be held in active.

38. In a printing press, a reciprocating type form, a rotary printing cylinder arranged to be lowered intoprinting relation with the form at a predetermined period in the reciprocatiom of the latter, an ink plate mounted with the type form, a counting mechanism for the sheet'sas they are printed, a common lev'ercontrolling the lowering of the cylinder, actuation of the counting mechanism and actuation of the plate inking means, a sheet feeding means to receive sheets to be printed, stop means on.

.the feeding means normally preventing passage of a'sheet to-the cylinder, means between the lever and stop ,means whereby the latter is only released upon the movement of the former, and means associated with the feedin means whereby unless a sheetof a pre etermined' thickness .be on the. feeding means, the lever will be held inactive. I0

39. In a printing press, a reciprocating type form, a rotary .printing cylinder arranged to, be lowered into printing relation with the 'form at a predetermined, period in the reciprocation of the-latter, an ink plate mounted with the type form, a counting mechanism for the sheets as they are printed, a common lever controlling the lowering of the cylinder, actuation of the counting mechanism and actuation of the plate inking means, a sheet feeding means to receive sheets to be printed, stop means on the feeding means normally preventing passage of a sheet to the cylinder, means controlled .by the presence of a sheet on the Jfeeding means for enabling the stop means vto be released and the lever actuated, and means whereby such stop means will .not be released, and the lever will be held inactive if no sheet, more than one sheet, 00-

or a sheetof greater than a predetermined thickness, be on the feedin means. I y In testimony whereof I a w my signature.

' CHARLES Lt LOW. 

